Flexible context management for enumeration sessions using context exchange

Abstract

Mechanisms for providing requested date items in a request-driven enumeration session while retaining to control over how much inter-message context information is retained by the data provider. Upon receiving a request for the data items, the data provider identifies a portion of the data items to be provided in the first response along with context information that reflects that the first portion of information has been provided. The data provider then makes a determination of how much of the context is to be provided to the data receiver system, and then provides that appropriate context information to the data receiver. Furthermore, the data provider provides a response that includes the first portion of the data items. The data receiver includes this first provided context information in the second request for the next portion of the data items, allowing continuity in the data transfer session.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. The Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to computing technology; and more specifically, to the network distribution of multiple data items in multiple responses while controlling which computing system manages context information for the communications. [0003] 2. Background and Related Art [0004] Computing technology has transformed the way we work and play. Computing systems now take a wide variety of forms including desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet PCs, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), household devices and the like. In its most basic form, a computing system includes system memory and one or more processors. Software in the system memory may be executed by the processor to direct the other hardware of the computing system to perform desired functions. [0005] Networking technologies enable computing systems to communicate even over vast distances, thereby expanding on computer functionality. For example, n...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Accordingly, the principles of the present invention permit the data provider to have wide flexibility over dynamically adjusting its role in context management depending on the then-existing circumstances. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

Problems solved by technology

Even over a high bandwidth network, this can take days.

Even in fairly reliable network environments, there is a significant possibility that a network connection cannot be maintained for that entire period.

If the connection is lost, often the entire data transfer must be reinitiated from the start.

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